NZ teen convicted of assaulting Seven reporter

New Zealand “internet troll” Tristan Barker was ordered to pay a $440 to Today Tonight reporter David Eccleston for emotional harm payment after being convicted of assaulting him.

The son of former Split Enz drummer Michael Barker had sought a discharge without conviction for the assault on Eccleston in March.

Judge Marie McKenzie said the assault, in which Barker struck Eccleston twice in the head, was “an assault on a stranger simply doing his job”. The second blow, struck when Eccleston was attempting to walk away, was “gratuitous”.

“I regard this assault as serious,” she said.

“To consider this acceptable behaviour is a bad message to send.”

Barker’s lawyer Bill Lawson said he had undertaken counselling and written a letter of apology to Eccleston, fulfilling a police request prior to sentencing.

Source: AAP / The Australian, Stuff